Day: June 24, 2024

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OPEN Health and fusion announce partnership to deliver AI-powered healthcare communications

London, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — June 24, 2024, London, UK – OPEN Health, a pre-eminent global provider of scientific communications, HEOR and market access, patient engagement, and consulting, today announced a partnership with fusion, an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) solutions provider that will work exclusively with OPEN Health. This alliance will see fusion’s market-leading AI capabilities deployed across OPEN Health’s extensive global client base, which includes 49 of the top 50 pharmaceutical companies.

Mary McGregor, Founder of fusion, commented, “OPEN Health provides an unrivalled platform to expand the AI agenda globally in our sector. Our longstanding relationship with OPEN Health leadership facilitated early conversations, enabling us to quickly market-test joint solutions, which led to a swift and unanimous decision to formalize this collaboration. This partnership empowers us to redefine the boundaries of what AI can accomplish in healthcare.”

Margot Hannah,  Chief Executive Officer of Scientific Communications at OPEN Health, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership: “We immediately recognized the need to expand our capabilities and started a dialog with fusion about an exclusive partnership to provide pioneering solutions that integrate OPEN Health’s capabilities with fusion’s cutting-edge expertise in AI and ML. Fusion’s expertise in this area is unparalleled, and we are excited about the possibilities this partnership brings for our clients.”

Steve Duryee, Chief Operating and Transformation Officer at OPEN Health, added, “We are committed to harnessing the power of cutting-edge technologies, including AI, ML, robotic process automation, and data analytics, to drive higher value and improved outcomes for our clients. With the recent launch of our Solutions Innovation Center, and the addition of fusion to our extended team of elite-level technology partners, we are now in the pole position to deliver the most innovative, technologically advanced solutions to our biopharmaceutical partners.”

By integrating with fusion’s advanced technology, OPEN Health underscores its commitment to leading the AI agenda with socially beneficial innovations to drive innovation and efficiency for clients. Contact OPEN Health to set up an interactive demonstration at www.openhealthgroup.com/contact-us.

About OPEN Health
OPEN Health unites world-class scientific, strategic, and creative expertise to solve complex challenges for global biopharma. We are a flexible, global organization, creating high-performing strategic partnerships with our clients. We embrace our different perspectives and strengths to deliver innovative solutions that have a positive impact on commercial and patient outcomes. OPEN Health unlocks possibilities across consulting, HEOR and market access, scientific communications, and patient engagement. To learn more, visit www.openhealthgroup.com.

About fusion
fusion specializes in delivering AI and ML solutions. Known for its advanced technology and innovative approach, fusion aims to transform the pharmaceutical industry by integrating AI-first solutions. To learn more, visit www.fusionagency.solutions.

Attachment

Candice Subero
OPEN Health
candicesubero@openhealthgroup.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9157597

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Allecra Therapeutics and Acino Sign Exclusive Licensing and Supply Agreement for Allecra’s Novel Antibiotic EXBLIFEP® in Gulf Cooperation Council countries and South Africa

Acino gains commercial rights for EXBLIFEP® (cefepime/enmetazobactam) within the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and South Africa. EXBLIFEP® has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Commission (EC) for the treatment of severe infections earlier in 2024.

Saint-Louis, France and Weil am Rhein, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland, June 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Allecra Therapeutics (“Allecra”) and Acino today announced the signing of an exclusive licensing agreement under which Acino gains the rights to commercialise Allecra’s antibiotic drug EXBLIFEP® (cefepime/enmetazobactam) within the Republic of South Africa and the member states of the GCC alliance, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, effective from 12 June 2024. In addition, the companies have signed a supply agreement under which Allecra will supply the cefepime/enmetazobactam finished product in the above territories.

“Acino has established itself as a leader in South Africa and the GCC region. They are an ideal partner to support us as we build towards commercialisation of EXBLIFEP® following our regulatory approvals in the US and EU,” stated Andreas Kranzusch, Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director at Allecra Therapeutics. “This agreement reflects the understanding that there remains a significant global need to address the dangerous increase of resistance to standard-of-care antibiotics, and we look forward to working with Acino to address this.”

“At Acino, we are dedicated to providing novel healthcare solutions to physicians and patients, aiming to alleviate the health burden in emerging markets. We are incredibly excited to partner with Allecra to offer access to this innovative product in two key geographic regions and, potentially, beyond,” said Andrew Bird, CEO (ai) at Acino. “We are committed to expediting the registration process in these designated markets to ensure hospitals’ swift access to EXBLIFEP® as they continue to fight against high-risk infectious diseases in patients.”

About EXBLIFEP® (cefepime/enmetazobactam)

EXBLIFEP® is an intravenous antibiotic fixed-dose combination of enmetazobactam, a novel extended-spectrum β-lactamase inhibitor belonging to the penicillanic acid sulfone class, with the fourth-generation cephalosporin cefepime. Enmetazobactam has been shown to restore the efficacy of cefepime against some multi-drug resistant bacteria, including ESBL-producing pathogens alone or in combination with some resistant β-lactamase mutations as OXA-48 or AmpC, which are increasing in Europe and for which there are few therapeutic alternatives.

EXBLIFEP® demonstrated statistically significant superior overall treatment success in Allecra’s pivotal Phase III ALLIUM trial, which compared 1034 randomized patients receiving either cefepime 2 g/enmetazobactam 0.5 g or piperacillin 4 g/tazobactam 0.5 g every 8 h as 2 h continuous intravenous infusion in a multi-centre, randomized, controlled, double-blind, global study in 112 sites within nineteen countries.

In February 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved EXBLIFEP® as a treatment for complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI), including pyelonephritis, in patients 18 years and older. In March 2024 the European Commission (EC) granted marketing authorisation for EXBLIFEP® for the treatment of adult patients with cUTI, including pyelonephritis; hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP); and bacteraemia that occurs in association with, or is suspected to be associated with any of the infections listed previously.

About Allecra Therapeutics

Allecra Therapeutics, founded in 2013, is a private, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapies to combat antibiotic resistance by overcoming emergent resistance mechanisms. Lead product candidate EXBLIFEP® (cefepime/enmetazobactam), has successfully completed a randomized, controlled, double-blind, global Phase 3 trial compared to standard of care in patients with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs). Based on these results, the company has received FDA marketing approval in the U.S. and announced approval in the European Union for EXBLIFEP® earlier this year.

Allecra has significant patent protection covering proprietary enmetazobactam in major territories. Allecra’s investors include Forbion, Andera Partners, Delos Capital, Xeraya Capital, EMBL Ventures, and BioMedPartners. Allecra’s wholly owned French subsidiary is a beneficiary of financial support from Bpifrance and the Région Alsace. Please visit www.allecra.com for further information.

About Acino

Acino is a Swiss pharmaceutical company headquartered in Zurich with a clear focus on selected markets in the Middle East, Africa, Ukraine, the CIS Region, and Latin America. We deliver quality pharmaceuticals to promote affordable healthcare in these emerging markets and leverage our high-quality pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and network to supply leading companies through contract manufacturing and out-licensing. For more information, please visit www.acino.swiss.

Acino is part of Arcera, a global company in the life sciences sector headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Arcera was established by ADQ, an Abu Dhabi-based investment and holding company, to build a global life sciences powerhouse poised to make significant contributions to realising the UAE’s aspiration to emerge as a frontrunner in science and technology. To learn more about Arcera, please visit www.arceralifesciences.com.

Attachments

For Allecra Therapeutics:
Andreas Kranzusch, Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director
ir@allecra.com

Gretchen Schweitzer, Trophic Communications, +49 172 8618540
allecra@trophic.eu

For Acino: 
Larisa Bernstein, Global Head of Communications
larisa.bernstein@acino.swiss

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9157528

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A young man was injured by occupation bullets and another was arrested during the storming of Nablus

Nablus – A young man was injured by live bullets, and another was arrested, at dawn on Monday, during the Israeli occupation forces’ storming of the city of Nablus.

Local sources reported that a young man was injured by live bullets in the foot, during confrontations with forces in Martyrs Square in the center of the city.

She pointed out that the occupation forces raided several neighborhoods in the city and arrested the young man, Radi Al-Lawz, after raiding and searching his house.

Source: Maan News Agency

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French President, Jordanian King Discuss Developments in Gaza


French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday discussed with Jordanian King Abdullah II, who is visiting France, the ongoing dangerous developments in the Gaza Strip.



During the meeting, the two sides renewed their call on the international community to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza and deliver it in all possible ways.



The Jordanian King and the French President reaffirmed the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the protection of civilians.



They stressed that the two-state solution is the only way to achieve just and comprehensive peace.



They also stressed the importance of supporting efforts to enhance Lebanon’s stability and sustain its security.





Source: Qatar News Agency



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Qatar Participates in Arab League Workshop on China-Arab States Cooperation Forum


The State of Qatar participated on Monday in a specialized workshop titled ‘China-Arab States Cooperation Forum (CASCF).. marking 20 years,’ organized by the Secretariat General of Arab League’s Media and Communication Sector (department of research and strategic studies), at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Arab League in Cairo, in collaboration with the tahreer center for studies and research.



HE Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nayef bin Abdullah Al Emadi represented the State of Qatar at the workshop.



In his opening speech, HE Nayef bin Abdullah Al Emadi highlighted the strengthened political relations between Arab countries collectively and the People’s Republic of China, amidst increasing international interest in Asia, with the Arab League not being an exception, as it recognized early on the importance of diversifying partnerships through turning eastwards and enhancing cooperation with influential countries in Asia, notably the People’s Republic of China.



His Excellency added that against this backdrop, this forum is taking place with the aim of providing an important institutional framework for collective cooperation, with mechanisms extending to senior officials and ministerial levels, adding that this culminated in holding the first China-Arab States Summit in Riyadh in 2022, which encompassed various fields: political, economic, cultural, media, and developmental cooperation, and had a positive impact on the expansion of trade relations between Arab countries and China, now one of their largest trading partners.



Regarding the State of Qatar’s relations with the People’s Republic of China, HE Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nayef bin Abdullah Al Emadi pointed out that bilateral relations have continuously grown since the visit of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to Beijing in 2019, followed by subsequent visits by Qatari officials and the signing of agreements opening new prospects for bilateral relations, making Qatar the primary source of natural gas to China.



Regarding the workshop’s activities, HE Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that one of the primary challenges that the workshop should address with regard to Arab-Chinese cooperation is confronting global fluctuations and changes in international alliances. His Excellency noted that the Russian-Ukrainian war has created disruption in the order of the international community, leading to catastrophic economic impacts such as inflation spikes and supply chain shortages, exacerbated by the social and health repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years.



His Excellency added that these factors have posed challenges that were addressed collectively within the framework of Arab-Chinese cooperation mechanisms, in such a way that resulted in high expectations for this forum to enhance Arab-Chinese communication in various fields.



With regards to joint efforts to bring about international peace and security, His Excellency said that these efforts must be intensified to find political solutions for hot issues in the region and to restore peace and security in the Middle East as soon as possible, especially in relation to supporting the Palestinian people and their right to establish an independent state.



In terms of planning and policies, HE Director of the Arab Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nayef bin Abdullah Al Emadi emphasized the continuation of linking developmental strategies within the framework of cooperation between the two sides, citing the Belt and Road Initiative as one of the major achievements of Arab-Chinese cooperation.



Building on the achievements of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum over its 20-year history, the workshop provided a scientific review of key challenges and opportunities, aiming to build a proactive vision for enhancing mutual cooperation across various fields of political and economic activities, technological and educational initiatives, as well as cultural, media, and tourism activities.



The workshop saw the participation of research and study bodies in Arab countries, permanent missions of member states at the Arab League, as well as intellectual figures, academics, and specialized experts in international law, political science, economics, and sociology interested in following the activities of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, alongside think tanks and strategic study centers in Arab countries.





Source: Qatar News Agency



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GCC States Affirm Importance of Protecting, Promoting the Right to Education


The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have reaffirmed their deep belief in the importance of protecting and promoting the right to education, which they consider a crucial element for progress in teaching, scientific research, and academia at various levels and frameworks.



This statement was delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva Hend bint Abdalrahman Al Muftah, on behalf of the GCC, in her capacity as chairperson of the Gulf Group, during the “Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education,” as part of the 56th session of the Human Rights Council.



The GCC countries highlighted their agreement with the Special Rapporteur’s report on the importance of safeguarding the right to education against contemporary challenges and threats posed by the digitization of education, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence. They pointed out that they have implemented various supportive measures for scientific research, such as providing financial, technical, and technological incentives, as well as continuous support and development in this field. These measures have enabled academic and research institutions to achieve advanced positions in terms of the quality of scientific research and the level of teaching. The GCC also emphasized the need to address the risks of harmful use of artificial intelligence, which poses a real threat to scientific research.



In light of the dire situation in Gaza and the deprivation of Palestinian students from their right to education, the GCC countries condemned the systematic and ongoing targeting of educational institutions by the occupying power, noting approximately 625,000 children have been without education for more than eight months due to the war, with nearly 90 percent of schools and universities destroyed.



The GCC countries called on the international community to take action to end this brutal war completely and to provide all possible means to allow Palestinian students to continue their educational journey, which is closely linked to human rights.





Source: Qatar News Agency



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Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Meets Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs


HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met Monday with HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Mohammed Shahriar Alam, on the sidelines of the 19th ministerial meeting of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, held in Tehran, Iran.



During the meeting, they discussed the cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them.





Source: Qatar News Agency



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Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Meets Uzbekistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister


HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi met Monday with HE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan Bakhromjon Aloyev, on the sidelines of the 19th ministerial meeting of the Asian Cooperation Dialogue, held in Tehran, Iran.



During the meeting, they discussed the cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them.





Source: Qatar News Agency